Explain the difference between a mini, full and fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty

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Oftentimes, when we see a patient for an abdominal cosmetic surgery consultation, we will run through a checklist including liposuction, mini abdominoplasty, full abdominoplasty, fleur-de-lis, or possible combinations.

Understanding Each Cosmetic Procedure

An abdominoplasty procedure is a cosmetic surgery designed to remove excess skin and fat, tighten loose abdominal muscles, and improve the overall contour of the stomach area. Each surgical procedure is carefully planned to minimize the tummy tuck scar and position the incision site so it can be concealed beneath clothing or swimwear, while helping restore a firmer, smoother abdominal area:

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini abdominoplasty, or mini tummy tuck procedure, focuses on the lower abdomen, taking out a roll of skin or loose skin immediately above the pubic area. Think of this as very similar to a C-section scar. The lower down that incision, obviously, the less skin that can be removed. The higher the incision, the greater the amount of excess skin that can be removed. Our plastic surgeons will want to plan that incision so it will be hidden by a bathing suit. At the time of a mini abdominoplasty, we may tighten the abdominal muscles somewhat from the umbilicus down to the pubic area and do some liposuction along the remaining portion of the abdomen to help feather and blend the results.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full abdominoplasty involves a longer incision, runs from the hip bone across the pubic area to the hip bone. A greater amount of skin is resected, oftentimes from that incision up to the level of the belly button. The muscles from the bottom of the ribs down to the pubic area are tightened, and a new opening is created for the belly button. There is definitely a greater amount of skin that is removed and a greater amount of tightening of the abdominal wall with a full abdominoplasty compared to a mini abdominoplasty; because of this, I recommend the full tummy tuck in cases where the patient needs to remove excess skin after significant weight loss. With a full tummy tuck surgery, I tell the patient that the skin is removed in a north/south direction and carefully placed to hide any residual tummy tuck scar.

Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck

A fleur-de-lis involves not only the incision that I just described, but also a vertical incision in the mid line from the xiphoid, or bottom of the ribs, down to the pubic area. With this vertical incision, we can also take out some upper abdominal skin and excess fat that is on the lateral sides of the abdomen. I very commonly will tell patients that a fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty not only removes skin in the north/south direction, but also the east/west direction. At the time of the consultation we will examine the patient in front of a mirror and explain which surgical procedure would give them the best outcome for their areas of concern.